Frankenoctopus unveils novel shape-shifting arms

November 5, 2012

The first prototype has six silicone legs designed for locomotion, while two specialized arms use artificial muscles, motors and sensors to detect and grasp objects. A spring-like structure inside these tentacles, made from a shape-memory alloy, can expand, contract or bend in any direction with changes in temperature.

A centralized unit that mimics the central nervous system of an octopus. When an object is identified, the centralized control system coordinates the locomotion legs to move towards it, then activates the grasping arms once the octobot reaches its destination.

Although the robot is being developed for search and rescue missions on the seabed, the tentacles also have medical applications. A new project is looking at how they could help surgeons during minor operations.

…anyone else feel like humans are playing god and having fun inventing machines that mimic animals, but we have all the control of these new beings? Seems like every week we are coming up with a new one to try and copy from nature, yet find some way to make it stronger, better or at least more controllable. All cool devices for sure… but not yet convinced of the excuse that it is for underwater search and rescue…. I guess what ever the audience needs to hear to approve the funding.

Can’t we just mount laser beams, chain guns, spy cameras and train these to hunt in packs of 1,000 at a time and get this over with? Revenge of the robotic Calamari awaits.